http://aja.pubs.asha.org/article.aspx?articleid=1781675Survey of Audiologic Service Provision to Older Adults With Cochlear ImplantsPurpose This study examined whether audiologists modify practice patterns in their provision of cochlear implant (CI) services to older adults and, if so, whether the nature of such modifications is consistent across clinical sites. Method An online survey was sent to audiologists at CI centers across the United ...2011-12-01T00:00:00Clinical FocusJessica Rossi-Katz

Clinical Focus | December 01, 2011

Survey of Audiologic Service Provision to Older Adults With Cochlear Implants

PurposeThis study examined whether audiologists modify practice patterns in their provision of cochlear implant (CI) services to older adults and, if so, whether the nature of such modifications is consistent across clinical sites.

MethodAn online survey was sent to audiologists at CI centers across the United States. Questions addressed demographics, candidacy, programming, outcomes assessment, rehabilitation, and professional development.

ResultsResponses were obtained from 47 audiologists who provided CI services to older adults. The majority of these audiologists did not report modifying CI practice patterns on the basis of age. Counseling appeared to be an exception: Audiologists reported that both the content and delivery of information were modified for older adults. Specific to CI candidacy with older adults, under half of the respondents indicated that assessing an older adult’s cognitive status was part of their clinical protocol.

ConclusionThe audiologists who responded to the survey acknowledged issues related to aging when providing CI services to older adults. Despite this acknowledgment, the results of the survey suggest a gap in how age-related issues are incorporated into CI service provision. Continued discussion as to how CI services can be optimized for older adults is needed.

Acknowledgments

This work was supported in part by a grant from the Center to Advance Research and Teaching in the Social Sciences at the University of Colorado at Boulder. Portions of this article were presented at the Aging and Speech Communication conference held in October 2009 at Indiana University, Bloomington.

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